For months we have been teased with vision of our Northern Hemisphere friends living out our Brat Summer dreams following the release of English pop icon Charli xcx’s sixth studio album in June. Now, it’s our turn.
Ranked the #1 Best Album of 2024 by Metacritic, Brat launched Charli xcx, who has been releasing music since her Myspace days in 2008, to a whole new level of stardom. It also launched a social phenomenon: Brat Summer.
So what is Brat Summer? Well, really it is whatever you want it to be.
Dancing in a dark basement with sticky floors and getting home as the sun begins to rise, but also – throwing caution to the wind, embracing yourself and those around you, deciding to be confident because why not? Brat is being yourself, Brat is recognising the complexities of humankind and the complicated nature of all relationships, Brat is… life-changing to some.
And now, thanks to Laneway Festival, Adelaide is getting our very own Brat Summer in February 2025, after this morning Charli xcx was announced as its exclusive headliner across Australia and New Zealand.
Joining Charli as an exclusive Laneway performer is American indie soft rock extraordinaire Clairo, who has earned herself a loyal following with hits like ‘Bags’, ‘Sofia’, and ‘Amoeba’, and recently released her third album Charm.
Another Laneway exclusive, British singer-songwriter Beabadoobee is making an appearance. Among other tunes, the singer released her hit ‘Glue Song’ in 2023, which features Clairo…fingers crossed for a special performance.
The last two Laneway exclusives bring a touch of dance/electronic to Adelaide: Bicep and Barry Can’t Swim. Based in London, Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson make up DJ duo Bicep and will be bringing their new audiovisual show Chroma down under. Barry Can’t Swim is a Scottish producer and DJ, who will hopefully stay safe in our land which is, famously, girt by sea.
Now for the non-exclusives: Californian singer-songwriter (and 2014 American Idol contestant) Remi Wolf will be gracing the stage, likely bringing hits from her 2024 release Big Ideas. Next, we see Olivia Dean, another UK performer bringing her neo-soul style to Adelaide (think contemporary R&B and soul cross with hip-hop, gospel and jazz).
Indie performer Eyedress (born in Manila and based in Los Angeles) will make an appearance, alongside producer Hamdi (UK), whose tracks draw on dubstep and grime. American electronic band Fcukers are next up, hot off the release of their latest EP Baggy$$ and single ‘Homie Don’t Shake’, which has featured in CityMag’s headphones once or twice.
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2hollis, American singer, songwriter, producer and composer, will bring his emo tunes to the Laneway stage. Joining him is LA band Julie, who just last month released their debut album My Anti-Aircraft Friend. In another group, American rapping duo Joey Valance & Brae are bringing their alternative punk-rap tunes to Laneway.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: what about the locals?
Well at this stage there are no South Australian performers on the lineup. However, five Australian artists will be hitting the stage. Festival regulars Skeggs (NSW) will make an appearance, as will Naarm/Melbourne-based DJ STÜM. Other semi-locals include Ninajirachi, electronic DJ/producer from the Central Coast of NSW, and Naarm-based DJ and producer RONA, who has previously toured with RÜFÜS DU SOL and made her Boiler Room debut in January this year. Finally, Brisbane’s indie band Girl and Girl is coming over, hot off a Europe tour. Final local count: zero (so far…).
Laneway Festival pre-sale begins October 15, with general sale October 16.
